Regulator controlling volume of one or more streams of fluid

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to regulators, and more particularly to noncorrosive and nonclogging regulators which can control the volume of one or more separate streams of fluid passing therethrough.

O United States Patent [151 Moore et a1. 1451 Feb. 1, 1972 [54] REGULATOR CONTROLLING VOLUME 729,423 5/1903 Scheiber et al. ..251/9 OF ONE OR MORE STREAMS OF FLUID 1,876,935 2.584.178 21/1952 Abbmiwfi air 235 4 141 [1' 1 l m P A- M; liw M bum of 1,432,882 10/1922 b01211 251/6 D n, Ok 2,619,386 11/1952 Dairympie .251/7 "1 [73] Assignee: Halliburton Company, Duncan, Okla. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1 Filed= May 27, 1970 73,013 4/1960 France ..2s1/9 21 A 1. N 0 83 t 1 pp 0 4 5 Primary Examiner-Robert G. Nilson Attorney-John H. Tregoning [52] U.S.C1 ..137/607, 137/606, 251/6,

25 /9 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. C1 ..Fl6k 7/04, F16k 19/00 This invention relates to regulators, and more particularly to [58] Field of Search 137/595, 606, 607; 222/ 144.5, noncon-osive and nonciogging regulators which can comm] 222/145; 239/413, 414,415; 251/4, 6, 7, 9, 10 the volume of one or more separate streams of fluid passing therethrough. [56] References Cited 9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 600,552 3/1898 Parker ..25l/9 X 15 r r 16 I8 illllliigq i.

PATENTEU FEB 3 I972 SHEET 1 [IF 2 el 0 WWW M. ATPvC am mm PH W 8 K ATTORNEY PATENTEU FEB 1 I972 Paul A. Moore Homer T. Boyles INVENTORS ATTORNEY REGULATOR CONTROLLING VOLUME OF ONE OR MORE STREAMS OF FLUID BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The flow of water through small passageways can be stopped by plugging the passageways with an injection of a mixture of N,N methylenebisacrylamide, acrylamide, triethanolamine, and a catalyst; ammonium persulfate. The chemicals solidify into an impermeable barrier when mixed. The first three chemicals, N,N-methylenebisacrylamide, acrylamide, and triethanolamine are sold as a mixture under the Halliburton trademark PWG" chemical grout. The normal method of plugging a passageway is to separately but simultaneously inject into said passageway one stream containing *PWG" chemical grout and a second stream containing ammonium persulfate. As the two streams come in contact one with the other, solidification commences. The operation is terminated when a barrier completely bridges the passageway.

Heretofore, the mechanical valves and appurtenances thereto used to inject the above-named chemicals, have been unsatisfactory for a number of reasons. One reason is that any PWG chemical grout remaining in the valves as residue solidify and clog up said valves. A second reason is that ammonium persulfate is highly corrosive to most metals. Valves, other than those made from high quality stainless steel, are quickly corroded by said ammonium persulfate. A third reason causing unsatisfactory performance is that the mechanical valves do not allow accurate control of the simultaneous flow of the two streamsv In other words, it is very difficult to manually open two mechanical valves simultaneously to the same flow volume and hold them open at that point for any length of time. Lastly, the mechanical valves and appurtenances thereto make up into a large bulky package which is difficult to carry into narrow confining spaces such as manholes, and further, is not easily operated by one hand. In using PWG" chemical grout, care must be taken to prevent exposure thereof to sunlight or any other light contain ultraviolet rays, as such will cause said "PWG" chemical grout to harden. Further, care must be taken to insure no chemical reaction occurs between either PWG" chemical grout or ammonium persulfate, and the material in the valves or appurtenances thereto.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention provides a novel regulator which contains means for controlling one or more separate streams of fluids. The regulator comprises:

a. a body having one free end and a barrel affixed to the other end,

b. a handle attached to said body,

c. trigger means pivotally mounted on said body,

d. one or more flexible tubes passing over the free end of said body and attached to said barrel,

e. trigger-actuated valve means mounted on said trigger means, said valve adapted to close said flexible tubes against the free end of said body when not actuated by said trigger meansv In order to more fully describe the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a side view of one embodiment ofthis invention;

FIG. la is a plan view of the regulator of FIG. I;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the handle portion of the regulator of FIG. I depicting actuation of the trigger and valve means;

FIGS. 3, 3a, and are plan views of the regulator of FIG. I showing different embodiments of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of the regulator of FIG. I showing an alternative embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. I, l designates the body of the regulator to which is attached barrel 2 and handle 3. Pivotally mounted at point A on body I is the trigger assembly which includes, as components thereof, housing 4, arm 5, roller 7, spring 8, and in FIG. Ia, axle 6. Housing 4 in this embodiment is U-shaped with the opening toward handle 3. When the trigger assembly is acted on, housing 4 partially encloses handle 3 (see FIG. 2). Arms 5 project backward from either side of housing 4 along the sides of body I and beyond free end 9 of body I. Flexible tubes 10, attached to barrel 2 by inlet fittings I5, are posi tioned to lay over free end 9 of body I.

Passing said tubes I0 through passages II located in the rear portion of handle 3 aids in such positioning. Axle 6 and roller 7 are positioned on arms 5 such that roller 7 in its rest position presses tubes I0 against free end 9, thereby squeezing tubes I0 shut. Spring 8 is positioned between handle 3 and housing 4 in the manner shown in FIG. I so that the pressure exerted on tubes I0 by roller 7 is relieved only by positive action on the trigger assembly. Also shown in FIGS. I and la are passages 16 in barrel 2 which connect inlet fittings IS with outlet fittings 18. Tubes 25 convey the streams to the site of application. Tubes may be rigid or flexible as desired.

Tubes I0 must be ofa material which will not react with the chemicals flowing therethrough. Also, tubes 10 and 25 should be opaque to ultraviolet rays when PWG" chemical grout is being used.

FIGv 2 illustrates the opening of tubes 10 by lifting roller 7 away from contact with tubes 19. Roller 7 is raised by forcing housing 4 back which in turn pivots arms 5 and roller 7 upwards. Spring 8 is compressed so that it can return the trigger assembly to its rest position (see FIG. I) when pressure is released from housing 4. Flow through tubes I0 can be regulated by the amount of pressure applied to housing 4. By permitting roller 7 to rotate freely about axle 6, wear on tubes 10 is less than if roller 7 was rigidly attached to axle 6. However, in another embodiment, a rigidly mounted roller 7 may be desirable.

FIG. 3 presents an alternate embodiment of roller 7 and tubes 10. Roller 7b is larger in diameter than roller 7a so as to exert the same amount of pressure on tube 10b, which is smaller than tube 100, that roller is exerting on tube 10a.

FIG. 3a presents an embodiment whereby the regulator has a dual trigger assembly; i.e., two housings, 4a and 4b (not shown), two arms, 50 and 517, two axles, 6a and 6h, two rollers 7a and 7b, and two springs, 8a and 8b (not shown). This embodiment permits the operator to regulate one or the other, or both flow streams as desired.

In FIG. 4, the elements are as in FIG. 2 with the exception that free end 9 has been modified by the addition of ridge 20 thereon. The addition or ridge 20 is desired when it is necessary to use extremely heavy walled flexible tubes I0. Said ridge 20 acts in cooperation with roller 7 to effectuate a positive sealing of tubes 10.

FIG. 5 presents still another embodiment of the regulator. Barrel 2 contains separate passages I6 from inlet fitting IS to mixing chamber 17, where the streams are allowed to mix before passing out of the regulator through the single outlet I8.

In operation of the regulator, flow of chemicals through tubes 10 is prevented by said roller 7 squeezing shut said tubes 10. The operator, holding the regulator in one hand, guides tubes 25 into the area he wishes to treat. When tubes 25 are so positioned, the operator permits flow to commence by squeezing housing 4. This causes roller 7 to raise up away from tubes I0, eliminating the aforesaid restriction. The volume of flow is regulated by the distance roller 7 moves away from sealing contact with tubes 10. Where the double trigger assembly embodiment (see FIG. 3a) is used, the operator can vary the volume of each separate stream. The same effect can be approximated with the single-trigger assembly embodiment (see FIG. I) by the operator pinching one tube 10 against handle 3 with his thumb.

After completion of the operation, tubes 10 and 25 can be easily removed from barrel 2, permitting passages 16 to be cleaned if required. Tubes 25 can be replaced readily. If for some reason tubes 10 become clogged, repair is accomplished by simply pulling said tubes 10 up through handle 3 and cutting off the clogged ends. The other parts of the regulator do not require cleaning.

Passages 11 in handle 3 (see HO. 1) are sized so as to hold tubes it) firmly yet free enough to permit moving a new portion of tubes to a position beneath roller 7. This feature will increase the life of said tubes 10 by preventing excessive wear on any one segment thereof. As is apparent from the drawings, a mechanical stop is provided for the trigger assembly such that roller 7 presses in on tubes 10 only to the extent required to deny flow therethrough. This stop is provided by the upper end of U-shaped housing 4 contacting the underside of body 1 as spring 8 urges housing 4 away from handle 3. This important feature results in longer tube life as the tubes are not under a continuing, deforming pressure.

The regulator, other than the barrel can be fabricated from any material. The barrel 2 should be made from material which does not react with the fluid to be used in connection with the regulator.

The regulator can be used in many different ways and for many different purposes. For example, barrel 2 can be adapted to receive hypodermic needles; the regular can then be used as a hypodermic syringe. Less fanciful but more practical use of said regulator is for spraying paints, insecticides, and so forth.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative only and that the invention is not to be limited thereby, but includes all modifications thereof within the scope of the inven' tion as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A regulator capable of controlling the flow of one or more separate streams of fluids, which comprises:

a. a body having one free end and a barrel aftixed to the other end;

b. a handle attached to said body;

c. a trigger means pivotally mounted on said body;

d. one or more flexible tubes passing over the free end of said body and attached to said barrel;

e. trigger-actuated valve means mounted on said trigger means such that on actuation of said trigger means said valve means move obliquely away from said flexible tubes, said valve means adapted to close said flexible tubes against the free end of said body when not actuated by said trigger means; and

f. stop means on said body adapted to limit the angular movement of said trigger means so that said valve means stops at a predetermined position from said free end, said stop means including a side of said body.

2. The regulator in claim 1 wherein said trigger-actuated valve means is provided with:

a. a pair of arms attached to said trigger means and extend ing along either side of said body b. an axle attached to the end of each of said arms at right angles thereto c. a roller rotatable mounted on said axle.

3. The regulator in claim I wherein said trigger means is provided with:

a. a U-shaped housing b. a spring attached to and between said housing and said handle.

4. A regulator for regulating the flow of liquids, said regulator comprising:

a. a barrel having an extension affixed to one end;

b. a handle affixed to said extension;

c. one or more flexible tubes attached to one end of said barrel;

d. trigger means pivotally mounted to said extension, said trigger means having valve means mounted thereon such that on actuation of said trigger means said valve means move obliquely away from said flexible tubes, said valve means at rest being in sealing engagement with said flexible tubes to refuse flow therethrough and on trigger actuation, said valve means being removed from sealing engagement from said flexible tubes to permit flow therethrough; and

e. stop means on said extension adapted to limit said sealing engagement of said valve means with said flexible tubes by limiting the angular movement of said trigger means.

S. A regulator for regulating the flow of liquids, said regula tor comprising:

a. a barrel having an extension affixed to one end;

b. a handle affixed to said extension;

c. one or more flexible tubes attached to one end of said barrel;

d. trigger means pivotally mounted to said extension, said trigger means having valve means mounted thereon, said valve means at rest being in sealing engagement with said flexible tubes to refuse flow therethrough and on trigger actuation, said valve means being removed from sealing engagement from said flexible tubes to permit flow therethrough;

e. said trigger means being provided with,

a. a U-shaped housing, one end pivotally mounted to said barrel extension, said housing having a pair of arms each extending from either side of said housing, said arms being in parallel relationship to the longitudinal axis ofsaid barrel extension,

b. an axle connecting one of said arms with the other of said arms, said axle being perpendicular to said arms,

c. a roller rotatably mounted on said axle,

d. a spring having one end attached to said handle, and

the other end attached to said housing, said spring exerting force against and pushing said housing away from said handle, and simultaneously pulling said arms and said roller toward the free end of said barrel extension.

6. The roller in claim 5 wherein half ofsaid roller is a diame ter different than the other half.

7. A regulator capable of controlling the flow of a plurality of separately confined streams of fluid, which regulator comprises:

a. a body having one free end and a barrel affixed to the other end;

b. a handle attached to the underside of said body and positioned such that a portion of said handle extends beyond the free end of said body;

c. a spring-loaded triggeractuated valve means pivotally mounted on said body;

(1. a plurality of flexible tubes attached to said barrel and positioned between said valve means and the free end of said body; and

. stop means on said body adapted to limit the angular movement of said trigger means so that said valve means stops at a predetermined position from said free end, said stop means including a side of said body.

8. The regulator of claim 7 wherein said body is provided with a ridge positioned horizontally across the face of the free end of said body.

9. A regulator capable of controlling the flow of plurality of separately confined streams of fluids, which regulator comprises:

a. a body having one free end and a barrel affixed to the other end;

b. a handle attached to the underside ofsaid body;

c. a spring-loaded trigger-actuated valve means pivotally mounted on said body,

a. a pair of housings, each pivotally mounted on either side of said body,

b. a pair of arms, each extending from the mounted end of said housings, perpendicular thereto, said arms positioned in parallel relationship to the sides of said body,

c. a pair of axles, each attached at right angles to one of said arms and projectingtoward said body,

(1. a pair of rollers rotatably attached to each of said axis and positioned near the face of the free end of said body,

e. a pair of springs, each attached to and between said housings and said handle, and each adapted to urge said housings away from said handle; and

d. a plurality of flexible tubes attached to said barrel and positioned between said valve means andthe free end of said body. 

1. A regulator capable of controlling the flow of one or more separate streams of fluids, which comprises: a. a body having one free end and a barrel affixed to the other end; b. a handle attached to said body; c. a trigger means pivotally mounted on said body; d. one or more flexible tubes passing over the free end of said body and attached to said barrel; e. trigger-actuated valve means mounted on said trigger means such that on actuation of said trigger means said valve means move obliquely away from said flexible tubes, said valve means adapted to close said flexible tubes against the free end of said body when not actuated by said trigger means; and f. stop means on said body adapted to limit the angular movement of said trigger means so that said valve means stops at a predetermined position from said free end, said stop means including a side of said body.
 2. The regulator in claim 1 wherein said trigger-actuated valve means is provided with: a. a pair of arms attached to said trigger means and extending along either side of said body b. an axle attached to the end of each of said arms at right angles thereto c. a roller rotatable mounted on said axle.
 3. The regulator in claim 1 wherein said trigger means is prOvided with: a. a U-shaped housing b. a spring attached to and between said housing and said handle.
 4. A regulator for regulating the flow of liquids, said regulator comprising: a. a barrel having an extension affixed to one end; b. a handle affixed to said extension; c. one or more flexible tubes attached to one end of said barrel; d. trigger means pivotally mounted to said extension, said trigger means having valve means mounted thereon such that on actuation of said trigger means said valve means move obliquely away from said flexible tubes, said valve means at rest being in sealing engagement with said flexible tubes to refuse flow therethrough and on trigger actuation, said valve means being removed from sealing engagement from said flexible tubes to permit flow therethrough; and e. stop means on said extension adapted to limit said sealing engagement of said valve means with said flexible tubes by limiting the angular movement of said trigger means.
 5. A regulator for regulating the flow of liquids, said regulator comprising: a. a barrel having an extension affixed to one end; b. a handle affixed to said extension; c. one or more flexible tubes attached to one end of said barrel; d. trigger means pivotally mounted to said extension, said trigger means having valve means mounted thereon, said valve means at rest being in sealing engagement with said flexible tubes to refuse flow therethrough and on trigger actuation, said valve means being removed from sealing engagement from said flexible tubes to permit flow therethrough; e. said trigger means being provided with, a. a U-shaped housing, one end pivotally mounted to said barrel extension, said housing having a pair of arms each extending from either side of said housing, said arms being in parallel relationship to the longitudinal axis of said barrel extension, b. an axle connecting one of said arms with the other of said arms, said axle being perpendicular to said arms, c. a roller rotatably mounted on said axle, d. a spring having one end attached to said handle, and the other end attached to said housing, said spring exerting force against and pushing said housing away from said handle, and simultaneously pulling said arms and said roller toward the free end of said barrel extension.
 6. The roller in claim 5 wherein half of said roller is a diameter different than the other half.
 7. A regulator capable of controlling the flow of a plurality of separately confined streams of fluid, which regulator comprises: a. a body having one free end and a barrel affixed to the other end; b. a handle attached to the underside of said body and positioned such that a portion of said handle extends beyond the free end of said body; c. a spring-loaded trigger-actuated valve means pivotally mounted on said body; d. a plurality of flexible tubes attached to said barrel and positioned between said valve means and the free end of said body; and e. stop means on said body adapted to limit the angular movement of said trigger means so that said valve means stops at a predetermined position from said free end, said stop means including a side of said body.
 8. The regulator of claim 7 wherein said body is provided with a ridge positioned horizontally across the face of the free end of said body.
 9. A regulator capable of controlling the flow of plurality of separately confined streams of fluids, which regulator comprises: a. a body having one free end and a barrel affixed to the other end; b. a handle attached to the underside of said body; c. a spring-loaded trigger-actuated valve means pivotally mounted on said body, a. a pair of housings, each pivotally mounted on either side of said body, b. a pair of arms, each extending from the mounted end of said housings, perpendicular thereto, said arms positioned in parallel relationship to the sides of said body, c. a pair of aXles, each attached at right angles to one of said arms and projecting toward said body, d. a pair of rollers rotatably attached to each of said axis and positioned near the face of the free end of said body, e. a pair of springs, each attached to and between said housings and said handle, and each adapted to urge said housings away from said handle; and d. a plurality of flexible tubes attached to said barrel and positioned between said valve means and the free end of said body. 